An awareness seminar was held in Marib to commemorate World Mental Health Day under the theme “Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.” The event was organized by the Public Health and Population Office in collaboration with Sheba Regional University and the International Association for the Care of Victims of Wars and Disasters (Al-Ameen). It provided a critical examination of the current mental health services in the governorate, highlighting pressing gaps and urgent needs.
During the event, Dr. Ahmed Saleh Al-Abadi, Director of the Health Office in Marib, stated that the number of individuals suffering from mental health disorders in the governorate has reached 35,000 cases amid a severe shortage of resources and specialized facilities for their treatment. He pointed out that the absence of appropriate care exacerbates the suffering of patients and their families, increasing their psychosocial and economic burdens.
Dr. Al-Abadi emphasized that a key outcome of this event is the call for the establishment of a specialized psychiatric hospital in Marib, staffed with qualified medical professionals and specialists in this field, to provide comprehensive services that promote mental health across the governorate.
Furthermore, Dr. Mahyoub Al-Abadi, a mental health specialist, highlighted the critical need for well-trained healthcare professionals and dedicated hospitals to provide effective pharmaceutical and psychological treatments. Such services are essential for the rehabilitation of patients and facilitating their successful reintegration into society.
Psychological specialist Fatimah Al-Harazi highlighted the importance of adopting community initiatives dedicated to caring for mental health patients and promoting a culture of support and acceptance. She affirmed that mental health is a shared responsibility that begins at the family level and extends to state institutions and civil society.
